Goodbye....

During this crazy busy summer I was introduced to Flylady.com, a helping tool for busy moms trying to juggle it all and needing some help with keeping order in their homes. This had my name written all over it! I won't go into great detail because honestly, there is TOO much but basically it helped me discover that there are things in my life I can eliminate so that I can stop feeling guilty about not getting everything done each day.
One of the few things I chose to give up is this blog. Although I enjoy blogging and sharing with you what's going on in our little corner of the world, I don't enjoy feeling guilty when I don't have the time to do so. In an effort to be better to myself, this will be my final blog.
Here is a quick re-cap of some big things that happened these past few months:

-Our car wash and oil lube center are both up and running. Both of them are keeping my DH quite busy and proud :)

-I began a small business venture of my own. I decided to become a Gold Canyon Candle Demonstrator. I love candles so this is definetely a passionate endeavor for me.

-The kids are healthy and strong. M is in 2nd grade this year and loving it and "the crew" are in daycare two days a week when I'm in class.

-(One that I'm extremely happy about) My sibling D, has had an AMAZING few months and has been able to start driving again(after 7 years) and he just purchased a new car for himself. In his words "Sweet". I am SO happy for him!! :)

Thanks to all who visited my small blog and I promise I will continue to visit those of my dear friends who blog. I will also send pic's every now and then with snapfish to share.
God Bless you all and we will talk soon!!

The Majestic Eagle

As you all can tell, I havn't been in the blogging mode lately. The nice outdoor weather beckons me everyday and I just cannot stay in! (because my kids have NOTHING to do with this :0 )
So I've been blogging interesting info. instead of the normal family photos and such. Here is another item that caught my eye recently. I love a good comeback story!!

Yahoo!

Shipwrecked!

One of my favorite passtimes is to watch shows on the History Channel regarding old ships that have sunk and the expedition of their remains. I find it fascinating watching the small scientific pods lower into the water anticipating a great treasure retrieval. I just watched an airing of The Titanic...again, and the link below has information of another ship found in Key West. It sunk in 1622 on its way to Spain. Interesting to me, maybe not so much for you!

Yahoo!

30th Birthday Tribute to my friend Supermom!!

So, it is the year of the 30th birthday, at least in my little corner of the world. First me, then my friend T and now Supermom; which happens to be another one of my favorite people.
We didn't meet until our senior year of high school but thankfully, became fast friends. We kept in touch during college, spent way too much time at a certain coffee hangout catching up and more time "up nort" on her college campus, stomping grounds.
We've been there for each other through the happiness of marriage and children and the loss of parents.
She is a fun, amazing and intelligent woman and I am so glad to call her my friend.
Happy 30th Kato. Take care and enjoy your day! XOXO(Sorry for the delay in posting this, I've been enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors :) I hope your day was Fabulous!!

Our road trip to Mall of America in "Minnedota" !
Hanging out with the gang.

Our special days....

I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you. (Don't worry, I will not blog about them any more!!)

Another Book...

Now that school's been out for a week and a half, I have been enjoying the opportunity to do some recreational reading. My friend J.. recommended this next book, stating that it was highly addictive. True she was. I read through the 400-plus pages in two days.

This is the first book by Jodi Picoult that I have read. My Sister's Keeper is her 11th novel and she enjoys writting fictional characters around controversial issues: euthanasia, teen suicide, and in this book, genetic planning.
Anna has been concieved to donate stem cells to her sister Kate, who is suffering from a rare form of leukemia. After 13 years, invasive proceedures and surgeries, Kate now needs a kidney transplant. The only one who is a likely match is her sister, Anna. However, the decision to donate the kidney is not made by Anna but by her parents. Anna decides enough is enough and hires a lawyer to sue her parents for medical emancipation. As the court battle ensues, Anna must make a choice to either receive her freedom or save her own sister.
It was so easy to lose myself in this book, especially since I was looking for something to read that I wasn't being graded on. I enjoyed the story yet felt that the mother depicted in the story was not as realistic as she could have been. Her strong views to do anything to save Kate, despite what her daughter Anna was feeling was a bit out of character. I guess that's why they call it fiction.
I enjoyed this book and may pick up another one in the future. Here's to reading!!

Six Years!!

Well, another year has come and gone and M and I are celebrating our 6 year anniversary. It amazes me everyday how quickly time flies. So what do you buy on the 6 year anniversary? Well, the traditionalists say candy or iron. Now there's a combo!! So last night I bought him a Mt. Dew and a candy bar and today I'm giving him golf stuff that he can use with his 9 iron!!
Anyways.... here are just a few pics of my man and me. Happy Anniversary Honey! Mwaaah.

Celebrating together at one of many weddings I've stood up in...This is Supermom's!!

Our first kiss as husband and wife on May 19, 2001!! Oooh La La :)
Starting our family......
And finishing the adding to our family!!
I am so lucky to have M... in my life. He is a wonderful father, husband and friend. Here's to the next 50 plus years together......XOXO.

The Progression of Life

As any mother knows, multi-tasking is key to surviving, everyday!! In my little world of multiples plus one, I know no other way of life. Somedays I wish it were different and those same days I am so glad they aren't.
When "the crew" was little, I had to find small ways to find time in the day to do the smallest of things; go to the bathroom, make a sandwich, pay a bill. So when they were old enough, some of their bottle feedings looked like this:
This is F.. and she loved this position, which was a good thing for mom!
As time moved on, we made it to our highchairs and now the big table without our boosters. However, F.. still seems to love this position, sans bottle. This is how I found her this afternoon during their nap time:
Asleep, upright with the blankets around her face...how sweet!! I now disagree with anyone who says that a child does not remember some aspect of their time as an infant.

A Birthday Tribute for my Friend T!

I never thought I would be one of the lucky ones to have found a lifetime friend. Well, I am. We met when we were five years old in school, struggled through junior high together, graduated high school together, stood up in each others weddings and celebrated the births of our many children together. Unfortunately, I am not lucky enough to see her or talk to her as much as I would like, but she is never far from my thoughts.
She is an amazingly talented individual, and quite individual if I may say so. She has a big imagination and a big heart to match. I love and miss her dearly yet am so happy that she is happy. Happy 30th Birthday, T! I'm so glad to know you.
I had to put in this one. Everytime I see it, it reminds me of the crazy, peg-leg faze and NKOTB! Oh boy.... what were we thinking??!!?
One of a million memories of getting ready for a game. I would not have made it through Mrs. P..... mood swings all those years without you on the squad!! ;)

College days!! Fun times with you and our friends up at U... It was great hangin' out with you even though we didn't go to school together (for the first time in 12 years :)

Celebrating all of those very "Special Days" together........

And very special deliveries.... Many of them!
I am so excited to see what the next 30 years bring for you and your family and our friendship. Enjoy YOUR day!! ***mwaaah****

Michael the DUKE!!

For the past 3 1/2 years, Michael has been a part of KASL. (K... Area Soccer League). He has always been a part of their recreational teams and has made a ton -o- friends in the process. He has never been the best on his team but he loves to play and always puts forth 110%. Well this season was the beginning of a new step up in league requirements. The teams in his age group are playing with actual goal tenders, as the players are finally understanding the concept of "defense". We think Michael has finally found his calling in soccer. He loves to play goalie and is really good at it.
He is really good on his timing and he concentrates on that ball like a hawk, just waiting to snatch it up!! Way to go Michael!!
When he needs to be, my meek, little boy turns aggressive to protect "his goal" :)

And of course, he's quite talented at the "I need a water break" part, too!! Go Michael and Gooooooo Dukes!!!

Did you hear the news....?

Just thought I'd share the news that Shrek and Fiona are the proud parents of bouncing baby, ogre TRIPLETS. Congrats to you both!!!

Judge sues cleaner for $65M over pants - Yahoo! News

Here is a perfect example why so many Americans distrust our current legal system. Sad story. ENJOY!! :)

Judge sues cleaner for $65M over pants - Yahoo! News

New Printer...Toy for "The Crew"?

Yesterday, M and I finally made the trip to Office Depot to buy a replacement printer. Seems that "The Crew" thought the first one was theirs and together, broke it beyond repair; well, affordable repair! Imagine that!! As I went through the process of disconecting the old and setting up the new, the little ones found that the box was much more entertaining than any old printer could be. (as all parents learn, usually after the purchase of an expensive toy.)
I decided to snap a few memories for two reasons: A) because they are just too darn cute, not to and B) to have a record for their memory that a box can be a TON-O-FUN so....Stay away from the printer!!!
The box will now be a new addition to the playroom. We'll see how long it lasts. Wish us luck:)

Book Review

So, a friend of mine started this crazy notion of putting up on her blog, a list of 100 best books to read. Then one by one, many other bloggers started to do the same. I am embarrased to put up the list, because mine is not quite as "read" as the others. Being a student, I have enough to read to broaden my knowledge horizons. Once I have degree in hand, I look forward to devouring the list, as well as adding many books to it....until then, I will share with you what I do happen to get read.

Mitch Albom's "The Five People you Meet in Heaven" is a book for those who want to read something quickly. It is short and sweet and of all the books I've read, it is the first to bring tears to my eyes. Sadly to say, I can cry with the best of them at a movie, but for some reason books do not have the same effect on me.

It follows the death first and then flashes back on the life of a simple old man named Edward. In heaven, he gets the opportunity to meet five people that have been a part of his life, and explain to him what his life meant. The author's creative imagination of what heaven is like is heartwarming and comforting; not flashy and "expensive" like some of us might think. It is sweet and innocent.

I liked this book. I wouldn't consider it a "classic" by any means but I also was not dissapointed by spending time reading it. It was nice. I hope you like it too!!

It's Pajama Time!!

One of "The Crew's" favorite books is "Pajama Time" written by Sandra Boynton. They love the colorfull illustration and the funny, dancing characters. I love reading all of Boynton's books to them. She is incredibly creative and, at times, I find myself having a chuckle along with "The Crew".
In our house, however, "Pajama time" takes on a different meaning completely. Pajama time is the time of the day when Lucas decides to take on a completely different persona and make 20 minutes of the day.....Hair pulling, CRAZY!!
Each night at 7:00 we begin our bedtime ritual. I give the girls a bath while Mario gives Michael a shower. Michael gets dressed for bed while Mario dries the girls hair and I start Lucas' bath. Once Lucas is finished we start to get his pajamas on..."What's so crazy about this", you ask? Well, Lucas goes through the painstaking process of choosing the perfect bedtime attire. Footed pj's?...um no!! Green flannel bottoms? Yes! (Ok, one down) Grey shirt or fire engine henley? Fire engine..Ok, not so bad. "Wait Mom...Now I want my Blue pj pants." Ok, you got it. "Mooommmmmyyyy...this shirt has a tag, rip it out...hurry, hurry, hurry!! "Tag's gone, lets get on our socks!" "Mommy, where are my basketball pj's?" "They're in the laundry Lucas."
-Meltdown of epic proportions ensues......."Lucas, you can wear those tomorrow. It will give mommy a chance to wash them." *sniff, sniff* "Okay". Socks are finally on the feet, Lucas is just about to make it to storytime with Daddy when...."I want my grey shirt instead, mommy."
ARGGG......At what age to boys just start sleeping in their clothes?? Oh well, a day in the life....

Wedding Bells

We had a wedding in the family this past weekend. My mom got re-married and had a big ceremony and reception celebration of which we all were a part. A small part because, as in all weddings, the kids stole the show. I was unable to snap a ton of pictures on my own because of the professional photographer, but here are a couple of the kids I could get.Marissa(L) and Francesca(R) ...."Mom, take these flower things off our heads...we can't boogie well with them bopping in our faces"
Michael and Lucas; permanant fixtures to the dance floor. Boy, did they crash when we got home!!
These two kept dragging each other to go dance. I might need to put in a dance floor in our rec room. They had a blast.
Here are the "cheese faces"...only allowed after the professional was done snapping pic's. Cutie pies!!
A little blurry, but what angelic faces...Can't wait to see how the other pic's turn out. :)

Blog Worthy?

So you may be wondering why all of my blogs up to this point do not have a title. I will dispense that information if you all promise NOT to laugh. (whispering)....I just figured out how to get the title line to show up!! Sad, sad...I know. Am I still worthy to blog???

Wanna hear something bad...Right now, at this very moment, I am in Spanish class in the language lab. I minimized the screen I am supposed to be watching and decided to post a blog instead. Sadly, I am already ready for summer break. It is too soon to feel this way... Well, mi profesora esta aqui. Adios!

Well, this lovely weather has given the kids one more activity to pursue after dinner....playing out in the snow!! I love watching them interact with the elements and each other. It makes me think of when I was a kid and we would get large amounts of snow. Doug (the sibling) and I would build tunnel forts in the high piles of snow that accumulated on the parkway, either from the plows or from my dad's shoveling. One time, we tunneled to the next houses' parkway area. We were very psyched!! Ahh...memories.
Tonight, there is just enough snow for them to throw snowballs and do snow angels. Poor M had to be out plowing but here is a preview of what I got to witness.
"The Crew" attacking each other with as much snow as they could get their little hands on!

"I think I'll take a little rest"
"Hee, Hee, Mommy, why are you taking pictures?"
"I AM COOOOLD!!"

"Hey Mom, Isn't this great?" "Giggle, Giggle"

Francesca is incredibly proud of her large snowball!! "Look Mommy!!"

So for those of you southerners that frequent the blog.....it is snowing up here. Crazy, crazy weather!! I was about to start complaining when I woke up this morning to cloudy, grey skies and cold, wet weather but then a thought occurred to me. Snowy weather causes salt trucks to grace our city streets, salt trucks dump hoards of car dirty-ing matter that jump onto cars across the city, the salt dries and ~voila~ cars need a CAR WASH!!
No... I am not secretly obsessed with car washes. For those who may not know, M and I opened a car wash recently. We've been rather depressed since the snow is gone and has left us with rather cloudy weather, so this snow fall is rather exciting for us. Hoping to scrounge up some business :)
This weather did, however, make me miss my after-dinner walk sans kids...so hopefully I can muster up enough self-motivation to hit the treadmill before bed (unlikely). Oh well, tomorrow...

The King of Adulthood has been very busy these past couple days. I refer to him when my children start to grow up TOO quickly....which seems to be everyday lately. For instance, a few days ago, Michael finally lost one of his two front teeth. They have both been loose for quite some time and it finally gave into the new adult tooth coming in.

The other tooth was being a bit more tricky!! The dentist told us to just keep playing with it and it would eventually come out. SO WE PLAYED AND PLAYED with that silly tooth. Yesterday, I finally convinced Michael that it was definately loose enough for me to pull it for him. Well, Michael's nature, when it comes to blood and the posibility of pain, is nervous, to the point of paranoia. So he went to school with the tooth hanging by a string.
During the course of the day, one of his friends said he'd give Michael 29 cents if Michael would pull it out. Then the entire class began to chant "Pull it out!! Pull it out". Well, another characteristic of Michael is that he loves to be a "ham" and entertain those who will watch. So needless to say, Michael came home from school yesterday with another hole in his mouth.

And even though his Adult tooth is almost all the way through, he's still my little boy, just with bigger teeth!!

So, my kids are great and wonderful. There is no denying it. However, today did make me wonder a bit if I am going to make it through this next year, now that the triplets are 3 years old. Enter the phase of INDEPENDENCE. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that they are becoming more and more independent. It shows that they are growing and maturing, not to mention, saving me a bit of time in the long run. But there are three of them, and the attitude of "I can do it by myself" is not as cute when multiplied by 3. I literally have to start getting them dressed and ready to leave an hour earlier in the day so that they can all put on their clothes, shoes, coats & hats all by themselves. It's quite a production!! I hope I make it through this phase with little hair loss!!

Remembering back to when I was younger and I thought I was soooo cool, I thought that scouting was, in simple words, LAME. (Wait...don't leave...I have a point). BUT, now that I've grown up and have children of my own, I have an entirely different view on life. (go figure...)
Michael has been a Tiger Scout since last summer and he is having a blast. So far this year they have visited the Dinosaur Museum, gone on a midnight hike at Bong, hung out with the Kenosha Coast Guard Crew, helped out at a soup kitchen and among many other things, are now working on their famous Pinewood Derby Cars. (That's another blog all in itself!!) A couple of weeks ago, all of the scouts from his troop had a banquet to receive awards and eat. The kicker, the boys and their DADS had to make a cake and decorate it for dessert and contest. What a trip watching those two in the kitchen trying to figure out what to do for making and decorating that cake. They did have a blast. Here was the fruit of their labor...


Unfortunately, they didn't win the contest, but they did have fun!! Here is Michael receiving the rest of his awards, patches and beads for this year. Next year, he'll be a Bear Scout. :)
Congratulations Michael!!